Discover Holmsund

Holmsund can be explored through three very different interests: the history of the sawmill industry, access to the water, and opportunities for outdoor activities. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between the places and their particular highlights: Lövösundet is an inland swimming area, Lövöudden offers public access to the sea, and Västerbacken reflects the area’s industrial past. This makes it easy to choose a focus for your visit based on what matters most to you.

Industrial history in the local landscape

In the second half of the 19th century, Holmsund developed into an industrial community when two competing sawmills were established there. In 1848, the Baggböle sawmill set up a loading site called Holmsund. The Sandvik steam-powered sawmill was built in 1857.

Holmsund Church was consecrated in 1863. James Dickson & Co. financed its construction beside their sawmill. The church’s construction history is therefore also connected to Holmsund’s industrial development. The three historical dates are fifteen years apart: the loading site, steam-powered sawmill, and church consecration mark a sequence in the history of Holmsund.

Västerbacken is a distinctive cultural-historical setting shaped by Holmsund’s early industrial era. The Västerbackens Sawmill Museum is housed in one of the old workers’ homes. It presents the living, working, and leisure conditions of sawmill workers, as well as the development of the sawmill industry. This shifts the focus beyond the businesses themselves to the everyday lives of the workers.

Water, access to the sea, and connections

Lövösundet is a pleasant inland swimming area. The bathing facilities include changing rooms and a dry toilet; there is also a lawn, a barbecue area, and a small playground nearby.

Lövöudden offers a different kind of access to the water: this easily accessible promontory is situated by a small-craft harbour at the end of Kroklandet and is a strategic destination for public access to the sea and seaside experiences. The difference between the two places is clear: Lövösundet is an inland swimming area, while Lövöudden is an access point to the sea.

Another connection is the Obbola Bridge. Inaugurated in 1989, the bridge is 1,381 metres long and connects Holmsund, Holmen, and Obbola.

Outdoor and winter activities

The Bränte outdoor recreation area is near Storsjöhallen in Holmsund. It has a lit exercise trail, a nature trail, and a toboggan run. Storsjöhallen is located at Solbackavägen 18 and is accessible by bicycle, bus, and car.

There are also specific options for winter: Holmsund has lit cross-country ski trails, including a 3.3-kilometre loop. As seasonal preparations may change, it is best to check the latest grooming information before visiting in winter.

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